The Housing Revolution in Antigua and Barbuda that started under the Gaston Browne Administration has received a much welcomed boost with the allocation of lands in the Belmont area for housing development.
Parliamentary Representative, Sir Steadroy Benjamin has announced that Cabinet on Wednesday approved the transfer of fifteen (15) acres of land in the Belmont area to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHAPA) where it will undertake a housing project that will benefit approximately 100 families. The 15 acres will be added to another 40 parcels that have been allocated for housing already.
Sir Steadroy said the development will start almost immediately as the transfers have to take place and the area prepared for the start of construction. He however anticipates that construction will start as soon as possible.
He revealed that CHAPA will construct 2 and 3-bedroom houses for working class families, although it is expected that the people in the St. John’s City South constituency who have been longing for a housing development for many years, will receive preference with the allocation of the houses.
“The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, is again demonstrating it care and its commitment to the ordinary men and women of our fair land; to provide them with good, affordable homes; this is true empowerment. We are committed to empower all citizens of this country, including the poor and vulnerable with that most prized possession; the keys to their own homes,” Sir Steadroy exclaimed.
He added that both he and the executive of the SJCS branch have been working relentlessly to bring housing development to the area so that people in the community may benefit.
An official government statement noted, “As part of its ongoing land and homeownership empowerment initiative, the Cabinet has approved the acquisition of land and the construction of 100 new homes in the Belmont community. Recognizing the pressing demand for housing—as evidenced by the thousands of applications submitted to the Central Housing and Planning Authority and the National Housing Development and Urban Renewal Company Limited—the Cabinet designated the Belmont development as a high-priority project. “Ministers responsible for Housing, Works, and Urban Development have been instructed to collaborate closely with the parliamentary representative for the area to expedite the implementation of the project.”
